The UK Divide: Does Having a Pembrolizumab-Chemotherapy Option in Head and Neck Cancer Matter? Real-world Experience of First-line Palliative Pembrolizumab Monotherapy and Pembrolizumab-Chemotherapy Combination in Scotland

AIMS

The Scottish Medical Consortium recently approved first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the palliative setting, contrasting with the decision made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, who approved monotherapy alone in England and Wales. The aim of this study was to provide real-world performance data for first-line pembrolizumab-containing treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the palliative setting in Scotland.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analysed the electronic records of patients who started pembrolizumab-containing treatment between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2021. Outcomes included overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), the duration of response and the disease control rate. Data were compared with the KEYNOTE-048 study and clinical factors were evaluated for association with survival.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 91 patients (median follow-up 10.8 months). Patient characteristics were similar to those in the KEYNOTE-048 study, although our cohort had a higher proportion of patients with newly diagnosed, non-metastatic disease. For patients receiving monotherapy (n = 76), 12- and 24-month overall survival were 45% and 27%, respectively. For patients receiving pembrolizumab-chemotherapy (n = 15), 12-month overall survival was 60% (24-month overall survival had not yet been reached). Experiencing one or more immune-related adverse event (irAE; versus no irAEs), of any grade, was associated with favourable overall survival and PFS for patients receiving monotherapy in both univariable Log-rank analysis (median overall survival 17.4 months versus 8.6 months, respectively, P = 0.0033; median PFS 10.9 months versus 3.0 months, respectively, P < 0.0001) and multivariable analysis (Cox proportional hazards regression: overall survival hazard ratio 0.31, P = 0.0009; PFS hazard ratio 0.17, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Our real-world data support the KEYNOTE-048 study findings and the value of combination treatment options. Additionally, our data show that irAEs of any grade, as reported in routine clinical records, are associated with better outcomes in this patient group, adding to the growing body of evidence showing that irAEs are generally a positive marker of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor response.

Delays in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy: A cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Delay in referral for epilepsy surgery of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is associated with decreased quality of life, worse surgical outcomes, and increased risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Understanding the potential causes of delays in referral and treatment is crucial for optimizing the referral and treatment process. We evaluated the treatment intervals, demographics, and clinical characteristics of patients referred for surgical evaluation at our level 4 epilepsy center in the U.S. Intermountain West.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent surgery for DRE between 2012 and 2022. Data collected included patient demographics, DRE diagnosis date, clinical characteristics, insurance status, distance from epilepsy center, date of surgical evaluation, surgical procedure, and intervals between different stages of evaluation.

RESULTS

Within our cohort of 185 patients with epilepsy (99 female, 53.5%), the mean ± standard deviation (SD) age at surgery was 38.4 ± 11.9 years. In this cohort, 95.7% of patients had received definitive epilepsy surgery (most frequently neuromodulation procedures) and 4.3% had participated in phase 2 intracranial monitoring but had not yet received definitive surgery. The median (1st-3rd quartile) intervals observed were 10.1 (3.8-21.5) years from epilepsy diagnosis to DRE diagnosis, 16.7 (6.5-28.4) years from epilepsy diagnosis to surgery, and 1.4 (0.6-4.0) years from DRE diagnosis to surgery. We observed significantly shorter median times from epilepsy diagnosis to DRE diagnosis (p < .01) and epilepsy diagnosis to surgery (p < .05) in patients who traveled further for treatment. Patients with public health insurance had a significantly longer time from DRE diagnosis to surgery (p < .001).

SIGNIFICANCE

Both shorter distance traveled to our epilepsy center and public health insurance were predictive of delays in diagnosis and treatment intervals. Timely referral of patients with DRE to specialized epilepsy centers for surgery evaluation is crucial, and identifying key factors that may delay referral is paramount to optimizing surgical outcomes.

Association of the habitual dietary intake with the fatty liver index and effect modification by metabotypes in the population-based KORA-Fit study

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging threat for public health with diet being a major risk factor in disease development and progression. However, the effects of habitual food consumption on fatty liver are still inconclusive as well as the proposed role of the individuals' metabolic profiles. Therefore, the aim of our study is to examine the associations between diet and NAFLD with an emphasis on the influence of specific metabotypes in the general population.

METHODS

A total of 689 participants (304 men and 385 women) of the KORA-Fit (S4) survey, a follow-up study of the population-based KORA cohort study running in the Region of Augsburg, Germany, were included in this analysis. Dietary information was derived from repeated 24-h food lists and a food frequency questionnaire. The intake of energy and energy-providing nutrients were calculated using the national food composition database. The presence of fatty liver was quantified by the fatty liver index (FLI), and metabotypes were calculated using K-means clustering. Multivariable linear regression models were used for the analysis of habitual food groups and FLI; for the evaluation of macronutrients, energy substitution models were applied.

RESULTS

A higher consumption of nuts and whole grains, and a better diet quality (according to Alternate Healthy Eating Index and Mediterranean Diet Score) were associated with lower FLI values, while the intake of soft drinks, meat, fish and eggs were associated with a higher FLI. The isocaloric substitution of carbohydrates with polyunsaturated fatty acids was associated with a decreased FLI, while substitution with monounsaturated fatty acids and protein showed increased FLI. Statistically significant interactions with the metabotype were observed for most food groups.

CONCLUSION

The consumption of plant-based food groups, including nuts and whole grains, and diet quality, were associated with lower FLI values, whereas the intake of soft drinks and products of animal origin (meat, fish, eggs) were associated with a higher FLI. The observed statistically significant interactions with the metabotype for most food groups could help to develop targeted prevention strategies on a population-based level if confirmed in independent prospective studies.

EPOS2020/EUFOREA expert opinion on defining disease states and therapeutic goals in CRSwNP

Severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), a form of diffuse bilateral (usually type 2) CRS, is a debilitating disease with a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). With novel knowledge and treatment options becoming available, there is a growing need to update or revise key definitions to enable communication across different specialties dealing with CRS, and to agree on novel goals of care in CRSwNP. The European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway diseases (EUFOREA) and EPOS expert members discussed how to measure treatment responses and set new treatment goals for CRSwNP. In this paper a consensus on a list of definitions related to CRSwNP is provided: control, remission, cure, recurrence/exacerbation, treatable traits, remodeling, progression, and disease modification. By providing these definitions, the involved experts hope to improve communication between all stakeholders involved in CRSwNP treatment for use in routine care, basic and clinical research and international guidelines aimed to harmonize and optimize standard of care of patients with CRSwNP in the future.

Anterior-wall and non-anterior-wall STEMIs do not differ in long-term mortality: results from the augsburg myocardial infarction registry

Background

Different ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) localizations go along with dissimilarities in the size of the affected myocardium, the causing coronary vessel occlusion, and the right ventricular participation. Therefore, this study aims to clarify if there is any difference in long-term survival between anterior- and non-anterior-wall STEMI.

Methods

This study included 2,195 incident STEMI cases that occurred between 2009 and 2017, recorded by the population-based Augsburg Myocardial Infarction Registry, Germany. The study population comprised 1.570 men and 625 women aged 25-84 years at acute myocardial infarction. The patients were observed from the day of their first acute event with an average follow-up period of 4.3 years, (standard deviation: 3.0). Survival analyses and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to examine the association between infarction localizations and long-term all-cause mortality.

Results

Of the 2,195 patients, 1,118 had an anterior (AWS)- and 1,077 a non-anterior-wall-STEMI (NAWS). No significant associations of the STEMI localization with long-term mortality were found. When comparing AWS with NAWS, a hazard ratio of 0.91 [95% confidence interval: 0.75-1.10] could be calculated after multivariable adjustment. In contrast to NAWS, AWS was associated with a greater <28 day mortality, less current or former smoking and higher creatine kinase-myocardial band levels (CK-MB) and went along with a higher frequency of impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (<30%).

Conclusions

Despite pathophysiological differences between AWS and NAWS, and identified differences in multiple clinical characteristics, no significant differences in long-term mortality between both groups were observed.

Responsive neurostimulation as a treatment for super-refractory focal status epilepticus: a systematic review and case series

OBJECTIVE

Super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) has high rates of morbidity and mortality. Few published studies have investigated neurostimulation treatment options in the setting of SRSE. This systematic literature review and series of 10 cases investigated the safety and efficacy of implanting and activating the responsive neurostimulation (RNS) system acutely during SRSE and discusses the rationale for lead placement and selection of stimulation parameters.

METHODS

Through a literature search (of databases and American Epilepsy Society abstracts that were last searched on March 1, 2023) and direct contact with the manufacturer of the RNS system, 10 total cases were identified that utilized RNS acutely during SE (9 SRSE cases and 1 case of refractory SE [RSE]). Nine centers obtained IRB approval for retrospective chart review and completed data collection forms. A tenth case had published data from a case report that were referenced in this study. Data from the collection forms and the published case report were compiled in Excel.

RESULTS

All 10 cases presented with focal SE: 9 with SRSE and 1 with RSE. Etiology varied from known lesion (focal cortical dysplasia in 7 cases and recurrent meningioma in 1) to unknown (2 cases, with 1 presenting with new-onset refractory focal SE [NORSE]). Seven of 10 cases exited SRSE after RNS placement and activation, with a time frame ranging from 1 to 27 days. Two patients died of complications due to ongoing SRSE. Another patient's SE never resolved but was subclinical. One of 10 cases had a device-related significant adverse event (trace hemorrhage), which did not require intervention. There was 1 reported recurrence of SE after discharge among the cases in which SRSE resolved up to the defined endpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

This case series offers preliminary evidence that RNS is a safe and potentially effective treatment option for SRSE in patients with 1-2 well-defined seizure-onset zone(s) who meet the eligibility criteria for RNS. The unique features of RNS offer multiple benefits in the SRSE setting, including real-time electrocorticography to supplement scalp EEG for monitoring SRSE progress and response to treatment, as well as numerous stimulation options. Further research is indicated to investigate the optimal stimulation settings in this unique clinical scenario.

Coherent charge oscillations in a bilayer graphene double quantum dot

The coherent dynamics of a quantum mechanical two-level system passing through an anti-crossing of two energy levels can give rise to Landau-Zener-Stückelberg-Majorana (LZSM) interference. LZSM interference spectroscopy has proven to be a fruitful tool to investigate charge noise and charge decoherence in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Recently, bilayer graphene has developed as a promising platform to host highly tunable QDs potentially useful for hosting spin and valley qubits. So far, in this system no coherent oscillations have been observed and little is known about charge noise in this material. Here, we report coherent charge oscillations and [Formula: see text] charge decoherence times in a bilayer graphene double QD. The charge decoherence times are measured independently using LZSM interference and photon assisted tunneling. Both techniques yield [Formula: see text] average values in the range of 400-500 ps. The observation of charge coherence allows to study the origin and spectral distribution of charge noise in future experiments.

Long-Term Intracranial EEG Lateralization of Epileptogenicity in Patients With Confirmed or Suspected Bilateral Mesial Temporal Lobe Onsets During Epilepsy Surgical Evaluation

PURPOSE

The data resulting from epilepsy surgical evaluation are occasionally unclear in cases of mesial temporal lobe (MTL) epilepsy. Long-term intracranial EEG (iEEG) collected by the Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) System may be an approach for capturing additional seizure data while treating patients with neurostimulation. We reviewed iEEG seizure lateralization and clinical outcomes in bilateral MTL patients at University of Utah.

METHODS

Long-term RNS System iEEG seizure lateralization was compared with pre-RNS System lateralization obtained during surgical evaluation. Safety and clinical outcomes were extracted retrospectively from patient records.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients received an RNS System with bilateral MTL leads. Fifteen of the patients had adequate follow-up to report clinical outcomes (>1 year), and 25 patients had enough recorded data (>6 months) to perform iEEG analysis. Median percent reduction in clinical seizures at last follow-up was 58%, and 40% reported being seizure-free at last follow-up, for variable durations. The electrographic seizure lateralization (unilateral vs. bilateral) differed between surgical evaluation and long-term iEEG in 44% of our patients. In the subset of eight patients (32%) who had only unilateral seizures recorded during surgical evaluation, but were implanted with bilateral MTL leads based on bilateral interictal epileptiform discharges, 62% (5/8) had bilateral seizures recorded on long-term iEEG. Interestingly, in the 18 patients who had bilateral seizures recorded during surgical evaluation, 28% (5/18) were found to be unilateral on long-term iEEG.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that RNS System implantation in suspected bilateral MTL cases may be an option to assess a patient's true seizure lateralization on long-term iEEG. Responsive neuromodulation should be considered before resection or ablation in cases that have evaluation data suggesting bilaterality.

Post-synthetic benzylation of the mRNA 5' cap via enzymatic cascade reactions

mRNAs are emerging modalities for vaccination and protein replacement therapy. Increasing the amount of protein produced by stabilizing the transcript or enhancing translation without eliciting a strong immune response are major steps towards overcoming the present limitations and improving their therapeutic potential. The 5' cap is a hallmark of mRNAs and non-natural modifications can alter the properties of the entire transcript selectively. Here, we developed a versatile enzymatic cascade for regioselective benzylation of various biomolecules and applied it for post-synthetic modification of mRNA at the 5' cap to demonstrate its potential. Starting from six synthetic methionine analogues bearing (hetero-)benzyl groups, S-adenosyl-l-methionine analogues are formed and utilized for N7G-cap modification of mRNAs. This post-synthetic enzymatic modification exclusively modifies mRNAs at the terminal N7G, producing mRNAs with functional 5' caps. It avoids the wrong orientation of the 5' cap-a problem in common co-transcriptional capping. In the case of the 4-chlorobenzyl group, protein production was increased to 139% during in vitro translation and to 128-150% in four different cell lines. This 5' cap modification did not activate cytosolic pathogen recognition receptors TLR3, TLR7 or TLR8 significantly more than control mRNAs, underlining its potential to contribute to the development of future mRNA therapeutics.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Outcomes for Patients with Lung Cancer Receiving Curative-intent Radiotherapy in the UK

AIMS

Previous work found that during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 34% of patients with lung cancer treated with curative-intent radiotherapy in the UK had a change to their centre's usual standard of care treatment (Banfill et al. Clin Oncol 2022;34:19-27). We present the impact of these changes on patient outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The COVID-RT Lung database was a prospective multicentre UK cohort study including patients with stage I-III lung cancer referred for and/or treated with radical radiotherapy between April and October 2020. Data were collected on patient demographics, radiotherapy and systemic treatments, toxicity, relapse and death. Multivariable Cox and logistic regression were used to assess the impact of having a change to radiotherapy on survival, distant relapse and grade ≥3 acute toxicity. The impact of omitting chemotherapy on survival and relapse was assessed using multivariable Cox regression.

RESULTS

Patient and follow-up forms were available for 1280 patients. Seven hundred and sixty-five (59.8%) patients were aged over 70 years and 603 (47.1%) were female. The median follow-up was 213 days (119, 376). Patients with stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had a change to their radiotherapy had no significant increase in distant relapse (P = 0.859) or death (P = 0.884); however, they did have increased odds of grade ≥3 acute toxicity (P = 0.0348). Patients with stage III NSCLC who had a change to their radiotherapy had no significant increase in distant relapse (P = 0.216) or death (P = 0.789); however, they did have increased odds of grade ≥3 acute toxicity (P < 0.001). Patients with stage III NSCLC who had their chemotherapy omitted had no significant increase in distant relapse (P = 0.0827) or death (P = 0.0661).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that changes to radiotherapy and chemotherapy made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect distant relapse or survival. Changes to radiotherapy, namely increased hypofractionation, led to increased odds of grade ≥3 acute toxicity. These results are important, as hypofractionated treatments can help to reduce hospital attendances in the context of potential future emergency situations.

Evaluating the effect of calcium, magnesium and sodium supplementation of Merino ewes on their lambs' growth

Our study aimed to investigate responses to supplementation of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) to lactating ewes and lambs grazing barley forage from lamb marking to weaning. A 10-ha paddock sown to barley was subdivided into eight plots as four replicates of two treatments. Merino ewes (n = 104) with lambs at foot were stratified to the eight plots (13 ewes and 21 lambs/plot) based on number of lambs (twin or single) and ewes' weight. Supplemented groups had access to mineral supplements (30 g/ewe/day) supplying 12 g/ewe/day ground limestone, 12 g/ewe/day Causmag® and 6 g/ewe/day coarse salt in a ratio of 2: 2: 1 by weight (as fed) from day 0 (a day before lamb marking) after sample collection. Control groups were not supplemented with minerals. Blood, milk and urine samples from ewes and blood from lambs were collected at different time points, namely, a day prior to lamb marking (day 0), 14 days after the commencement of study (day 14), and 28 days after the commencement of study (day 28). Weight of the lambs was also recorded at each time point. We found that the concentration of the forage minerals (Ca, Mg and potassium (K)) was lower on day 28 than on day 0 (P < 0.025). Liveweight gain was greater in the first 14 days compared with the second weight gain period (P < 0.001). The interaction of time and treatment was significant for liveweight (P < 0.001). Due to the improvement in weight gain of supplemented lambs, we recommend that mineral supplementation during late lactation is beneficial considering the low cost of minerals, even though the mineral content of the forage was not deficient.

[Intra-abdominal vascular injuries after blunt abdominal trauma]

Vascular injuries and hemorrhaging are serious potential complications in the management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. The treatment depends on the extent and localization and can range from surveillance to endovascular treatment up to open surgery. The keys to success include the focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) management and timely decision making. Abdominal vascular trauma continues to be a difficult problem and open and endovascular techniques continue to evolve in order to address this complex disease process.

Chronic intracranial recordings after resection for epilepsy reveal a "running down" of epileptiform activity

We describe an electrical "running down" phenomenon and also a consistent spectral change (in the aperiodic component of the power spectrum) derived from chronic interictal electrocorticography (ECoG) after surgery in a patient with drug-resistant epilepsy. These data were recorded using a closed-loop neurostimulation system that was implanted after resection. The patient has been seizure-free for 2.5 years since resection without requiring the neurostimulator to be turned on to stimulate. Concurrently, there was an exponential decrease in the number of epileptiform electrographic detections recorded by the device, particularly over the first 26 weeks, indicative of an electrical running down phenomenon as the brain adapted to an extended period of seizure freedom. We also find that the aperiodic exponent of the power spectrum gradually decreases over time. The aperiodic component of intracranial ECoG may represent a novel marker of epileptogenicity, independent of seizures.

EPOS/EUFOREA update on indication and evaluation of Biologics in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps 2023

Severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a debilitating disease with a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL). It is typically characterized by a type 2 inflammatory reaction and by comorbidities such as asthma, allergies and NSAID-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (N-ERD). Here, the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway diseases discusses practical guidelines for patients on biologic treatment. Criteria for the selection of patients who would benefit from biologics were updated. Guidelines are proposed concerning the monitoring of the drug effects that provide recognition of responders to the therapy and, subsequently, the decision about continuation, switching or discontinuation of a biologic. Furthermore, gaps in the current knowledge and unmet needs were discussed.

[Results of a single center vascular screening program in Germany]

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in Europe with a relevant socioeconomic burden. A screening program for vascular diseases in asymptomatic persons with a defined risk constellation can lead to an early diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

The study examined a screening program for carotid stenosis, peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in persons without any known vascular disease with respect to demographic data, risk factors, pre-existing conditions, medication intake, detection of pathological findings and/or findings requiring treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Test subjects were invited using various information material and filled in a questionnaire on cardiovascular risk factors. The screening took place with measurement of the ABI and duplex sonography as a monocentric prospective single arm study within 1 year. Endpoints were the prevalence of risk factors and pathological and/or results requiring treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 391 persons participated, 36% presented with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor, 35.5% with 2 and 14.4% with 3 or more. The sonography showed results requiring control with a carotid stenosis of < 50-> 75% or occlusion in 9%. An AAA with a diameter of 3.0-4.5 cm was diagnosed in 0.9% and a pathological ABI < 0.9 or > 1.3 in 12.3%. The indications for a pharmacotherapy were found in 17% and no operation was recommended.

CONCLUSION

The practicability of a screening program for carotid stenosis, PAOD and AAA of a defined risk population was shown. Vascular pathologies that required treatment were hardly found in the catchment area of the hospital. Consequently, the implementation of this screening program in Germany based on the collected data cannot currently be recommended in this form.

Sex-specific associations between systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure and hemostatic parameters in the population-based KORA-Fit study: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Several prior studies postulated an effect of hypertension on coagulation factors. However, population-based studies investigating the sex-specific associations between hypertension and hemostatic parameters are scarce. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between blood pressure and parameters of coagulation, namely activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), fibrinogen, factor VIII, antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, and D-dimer in men and women from the general population.

METHODS

Based on 803 participants (376 men, 427 women) from the KORA-Fit Study the sex-specific relationship between systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure and commonly measured coagulation factors were investigated using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models.

RESULTS

Hypertensive males had significantly higher median fibrinogen levels and factor VIII activity in comparison to normotensive males. There was a statistically significant difference between females with and without hypertension regarding the parameter fibrinogen, D-dimers, Protein S activity, and factor VIII activity. In multivariable linear regression analyses no significant association between systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, as well as pulse pressure and the investigated hemostatic parameters was found in men. In women, a significant positive association could be observed between systolic blood pressure and D-dimer level [β-estimate per mmHg increase 3.37 (95% CI 0.935-5.804; p = 0.007)] and between pulse pressure and D-dimer level [β-estimate per mmHg increase 5.351 (95% CI 1.772-8.930; p = 0.003)].

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that sex differences exist in the association between blood pressure parameters and commonly measured coagulation markers in the general population. Further studies are needed to identify the underlying causes.

Increase in Mental Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Role of Occupational & Financial Strains

Background

Numerous studies reported an increase in mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the specific causes for this increase are unclear. We therefore investigate whether pandemic-related occupational and financial changes (e.g., reduced working hours, working from home, financial losses) were associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with the situation before the pandemic.

Methods

We analyzed data from the German National Cohort Study (NAKO). Between May and November 2020, 161,849 participants answered questions on their mental state and social circumstances. Responses were compared with data from the baseline survey before the pandemic (2014-2019). Linear fixed-effects models were used to determine whether individual changes in the symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) or anxiety (GAD-7) were associated with occupational/financial changes (controlling for covariates).

Results

A pronounced increase in symptoms was observed among those who became unemployed during the pandemic (+ 1.16 points on the depression scale, 95% confidence interval [0.91; 1.41], range 0-27). Increases were also seen for reduced working hours without short-term working allowance, increased working hours, working from home, insecurity regarding employment, and financial strain. The deterioration in mental health was largely statistically explained by the occupational and financial changes investigated in the model.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders increased in the study population during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and occupational and financial difficulties were an essential contributory factor. These strains should be taken into account both in the care of individual patients and in the planning of targeted prevention measures. Results suggest that welfare state benefits such as short-time allowance in times of crises may reduce mental load in affected populations.

Inflammatory plasma proteins predict short-term mortality in patients with an acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between inflammatory markers and 28-day mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

In 398 STEMI patients recorded between 2009 and 2013 by the population-based Myocardial Infarction Registry Augsburg, 92 protein biomarkers were measured in admission arterial blood samples using the OLINK inflammatory panel. In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, the association between each marker and 28-day mortality was investigated. The values of the biomarkers most significantly associated with mortality were standardized and summarized to obtain a prediction score for 28-day mortality. The predictive ability of this biomarker score was compared to the established GRACE score using ROC analysis. Finally, a combined total score was generated by adding the standardized biomarker score to the standardized GRACE score.

RESULTS

The markers IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, FGF-21, FGF-23, ST1A1, MCP-1, 4E-BP1, and CST5 were most significantly associated with 28-day mortality, each with FDR-adjusted (false discovery rate adjusted) p-values of < 0.01 in the multivariable logistic regression model. In a ROC analysis, the biomarker score and the GRACE score showed comparable predictive ability for 28-day mortality (biomarker score AUC: 0.7859 [CI: 0.6735-0.89], GRACE score AUC: 0.7961 [CI: 0.6965-0.8802]). By combining the biomarker score and the Grace score, the predictive ability improved with an AUC of 0.8305 [CI: 0.7269-0.9187]. A continuous Net Reclassification Improvement (cNRI) of 0.566 (CI: 0.192-0.94, p-value: 0.003) and an Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) of 0.083 ((CI: 0.016-0.149, p-value: 0.015) confirmed the superiority of the combined score over the GARCE score.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory biomarkers may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and AMI-related mortality and might be a promising starting point for personalized medicine, which aims to provide each patient with tailored therapy.

Association of heart failure and liver T1 mapping in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Background

Heart failure culminates in liver congestion. As the liver can be assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance T1 mapping sequences, it represents a promising imaging biomarker for heart failure.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between heart failure and magnetic resonance liver T1 mapping, as a non-invasive imaging surrogate of liver congestion.

Methods

Patients with cardiac magnetic resonance including T1 mapping sequences on a single 1.5T scanner were consecutively included between 01/2017 and 12/2019. Liver T1 was measured in the left lobe, right lobe and caudate lobe on short axis view and in the liver dome on four chamber view. Echocardiographic and laboratory parameters were analyzed within 90 days of the cardiac magnetic resonance exam. Left ventricular filling pressures were assessed according to the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines [1]. Liver T1 and echocardiographic parameters were compared between patients with and without elevated NT-proBNP levels (&gt;125 pg/ml) using a Mann-Whitney U test. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to correct for age, sex, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction and the presence of atrial fibrillation.

Results

A total of 397 patients were included (median age 56, 127 females), of whom 138 patients (35%) presented with elevated NT-proBNP levels. Patients with elevated NT-proBNP levels had a larger indexed end-diastolic left ventricular volume (92 vs. 81 ml/m2, p&lt;0.001), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (60 vs. 50%, p&lt;0.001) and a higher E/E' ratio (11 vs. 8, p&lt;0.001). Liver T1 was higher in patients with elevated NT-proBNP in the right liver lobe (670 vs. 596 ms, p&lt;0.001) and the caudate lobe (664 vs. 598 ms, p&lt;0.001), but not in the left liver lobe (571 vs. 568 ms, p=0.068) and in the liver dome (590 vs. 560 ms, p=0.1). Echocardiographic evaluation showed similar results with significant difference in T1 times between patients with elevated and non-elevated left ventricular filling pressures in caudate and right liver lobe. Liver T1 retained its predictive value when corrected for age, left ventricular ejection fraction and the presence of atrial fibrillation, when measured in the caudate lobe (adjusted odds ratio 1.013, 95% confidence interval 1.004–1.023, p=0.005) and in the right lobe (adjusted odds ratio 1.012, 95% confidence interval 1.003–1.021, p=0.009).

Conclusions

Elevated liver T1 in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is associated with heart failure and represents an independent non-invasive imaging surrogate for liver congestion.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Prognostic value of stress hyperglycemia ratio on short- and long-term mortality after acute myocardial infarction

AIMS

Prior studies demonstrated an association between hospital admission blood glucose and mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Because stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) has been suggested as a more reliable marker of stress hyperglycemia this study investigated to what extent SHR in comparison with admission blood glucose is associated with short- and long-term mortality in diabetic and non-diabetic AMI patients.

METHODS

The analysis was based on 2,311 AMI patients aged 25-84 years from the population-based Myocardial Infarction Registry Augsburg (median follow-up time 6.5 years [IQR: 4.9-8.1]). The SHR was calculated as admission glucose (mg/dl)/(28.7 × HbA1c (%)-46.7). Using logistic and COX regression analyses the associations between SHR and admission glucose and mortality were investigated.

RESULT

Higher admission glucose and higher SHR were significantly and nonlinearly associated with higher 28-day mortality in AMI patients with and without diabetes. In patients without diabetes, the AUC for SHR was significantly lower than for admission glucose (SHR: 0.6912 [95%CI 0.6317-0.7496], admission glucose: 0.716 [95%CI 0.6572-0.7736], p-value: 0.0351). In patients with diabetes the AUCs were similar for SHR and admission glucose. Increasing admission glucose and SHR were significantly nonlinearly associated with higher 5-year all-cause mortality in AMI patients with diabetes but not in non-diabetic patients. AUC values indicated a comparable prediction of 5-year mortality for both measures in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Stress hyperglycemia in AMI patients plays a significant role mainly with regard to short-term prognosis, but barely so for long-term prognosis, underlining the assumption that it is a transient dynamic disorder that occurs to varying degrees during the acute event, thereby affecting prognosis.

978 ADVANCED CARE PLANNING IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS

Introduction

Advanced care planning (ACP) supports individuals to make decisions regarding their future care. Guidelines (NICE, 2017) recommend offering ACP discussions to people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), but uptake lags behind other countries (Sokol, NPJ Parkinson’s Dis, 2019, 22:5–24). As part of a project to improve ACP in the community we audited ACP practice at North Bristol NHS Trust.

Method

Records for 100 patients with idiopathic PD or atypical Parkinsonian syndromes seen in Movement Disorders clinics from March to October 2021 were scrutinised. ACP was defined as including: Do not attempt cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR), Advanced Statement of Wishes, Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPOA). Disease severity was assessed using Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) score.

Results

87 records were audited, 13 were excluded due to non-Parkinsonian disorders (11) or unavailable records (2). ACP was completed for 22 (25%) cases, (18 DNACPR and 11 Advanced Statements, 1 LPA, 0 ADRT). Informal ACP, such as documentation of wishes in clinic letters, were present in 5 cases. Of the 22 instances of ACP, 20 were recorded on Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) forms. Preferences included ventilation (10), hospital admission (6), life prolonging treatments (6), preferred place of care (4), nutrition (0). Completed ACP was associated with higher H&Y scores or atypical syndromes.

Conclusion

It is recognised that there is a need to further investigate how ACP is delivered for patients with Parkinsonian Disorders. Three US studies estimated ACP rates ranging from 14.6%–53%. (Nimmons, European Journal of Neurology 2020, 27:1971–1987). We are not aware of any comparable UK data. This is a preliminary audit for a project to improve ACP within our MD Service. We are collecting further data on the views of our community movement disorders team with a view to upskilling in ACP.

Experimental helium-beam radiography with a high-energy beam: Water-equivalent thickness calibration and first image-quality results

PURPOSE

A clinical implementation of ion-beam radiography (iRad) is envisaged to provide a method for on-couch verification of ion-beam treatment plans. The aim of this work is to introduce and evaluate a method for quantitative water-equivalent thickness (WET) measurements for a specific helium-ion imaging system for WETs that are relevant for imaging thicker body parts in the future.

METHODS

Helium-beam radiographs (αRads) are measured at the Heidelberg Ion-beam Therapy Center (HIT) with an initial beam energy of 239.5 MeV/ u. An imaging system based on three pairs of thin silicon pixel detectors is used for ion path reconstruction and measuring the energy deposition (dE) of each particle behind the object to be imaged. The dE behind homogeneous plastic blocks is related to their well-known WETs between 280.6mm and 312.6 mm with a calibration curve that is created by fitting the measured data points. The quality of the quantitative WET measurements is determined by the uncertainty of the measured WET of a single ion (single-ion WET precision) and the deviation of a measured WET value to the well-known WET (WET accuracy). Subsequently, the fitted calibration curve is applied to an energy deposition radiograph of a phantom with a complex geometry. The spatial resolution (modulation transfer function at 10% (MTF_10% )) and WET accuracy (mean absolute percentage difference (MAPD)) of the WET map, are determined.

RESULTS

In the optimal imaging WET-range from ∼  280 mm to 300 mm, the fitted calibration curve reached a mean single-ion WET precision of 1.55 ± 0.00%. Applying the calibration to an ion radiograph (iRad) of a more complex WET distribution, the spatial resolution was determined to be MTF_10% = 0.49 ± 0.03 lp/mm and the WET accuracy was assessed as MAPD to 0.21%.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a beam energy of 239.5MeV/ u and the proposed calibration procedure, quantitative αRads of WETs between ∼  280mm to 300 mm can be measured and show high potential for clinical use. The proposed approach with the resulting image qualities encourages further investigation towards the clinical application of helium-beam radiography. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Feasibility of non-invasive recording of somatosensory evoked potential in pigs

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive measurement of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP) in a large animal model is important to translational cognitive research. We sought to develop a methodology for neurophysiological recording via a transcranial electroencephalography (EEG) cap under an effective sedative regimen with dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol that will produce sedation instead of anesthesia while not compromising data quality.

RESULTS

Pigs received intramuscular dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol for SEP assessment with peroneal nerve stimulation. Semi-quantitative sedation assessment was performed after the animal was sufficiently sedated and 30 min later, during the transcranial SEP recording. SEP data were analyzed with commercial software. Binary qualitative analysis of the recording was categorized by an experienced neurophysiologist. All four animals had adequate surface SEP recordings. Animals received 43 [21-47] mcg/kg of dexmedetomidine, 0.3 [0.2-0.3] mg/kg of midazolam, and 0.3 [0.3-0.3] mg/kg of butorphanol IM. All treatments resulted in moderate to deep sedation (Baseline median sedation score 11.5 [11-12]; median score at 30 min: 11.5 [10.5-12]). Heart rate (median [range]) (55 [49-71] beats per minute), respiratory rate (24 [21-30] breaths per minute), and hemoglobin oxygen saturation (99 [98-100]%) and body temperature (37.7 [37.4-37.9] °C) remained within clinically acceptable ranges. There were no undesirable recovery incidents.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study, we demonstrate the feasibility of SEP recording via a transcranial EEG cap under an effective sedative regimen in pigs. Our approach will expand the use of a large animal model in neurotranslational research.

Endoscopic grading systems for nasal polyps: are we comparing apples to oranges?

Endoscopic grading of nasal polyps (NP) is typically a coprimary endpoint in clinical trials evaluating treatments for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, a consensus on the most effective way to grade nasal polyps has not been reached. Different scales have been used, hampering the interpretation of data across trials. This review compares the characteristics of NP grading systems used in registration trials for approved NP treatments. These fundamental differences in grading systems make quantitative comparison of outcomes between trials inaccurate and potentially misleading. In lieu of a universal grading system, reporting the baseline distribution of polyp grades (unilateral and/or summed/total grades), as well as changes from baseline over time by baseline grade may help improve interpretability of outcomes and reduce inaccuracy when attempting cross-trial comparisons and making therapeutic decisions.

Gender-linked determinants for utilization of long-term care in community-dwelling adults in Germany

Background

The number of people using long-term care (LTC) is increasing steadily worldwide. Hence, demand for adequate services is rising. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify relevant gender-linked determinants for utilization of LTC in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

We examined 4077 females (52.7%) and males ≥ 65 years old (range: 65-97) between 2011/12 (t1) and 2016 (t2). Data originated from the population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA)-Age study in Germany. A descriptive analysis assessed the amount of LTC used. Cross-sectional generalized estimating equation logistic models identified determinants for utilization of (in)formal LTC. Determinants for transition to LTC between t1 and t2 were examined using a longitudinal logistic regression model. Potential determinants were chosen according to Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use.

Results

At t2, 820 (20.1%) were LTC users with 527 (64.3%) being female. The average amount of informal LTC was higher in males (158.0 minutes/day (m/d) (SD: 270.5) vs. 70.1 m/d (SD: 152.8)), whereas the amount of formal LTC was higher in females (89.7 m/d (SD: 224.7) vs. 28.5 m/d (SD: 23.3)). In both genders, higher age, multimorbidity, and disability were associated with utilization of and transition to LTC. Living alone was significantly associated with utilization of (formal) LTC in both genders, but its effect was almost two times stronger in males (men: OR: 3.48 (CI: 2.05-5.90) vs females: OR: 1.83 (CI: 1.25-2.69)). Thus, ‘living alone' is considered the essential gender-linked determinant.

Conclusions

Gender-linked determinants must be considered when establishing demand-oriented policies. Future health programs should specifically target older individuals, especially males, living alone to improve their capabilities in activities of daily living to allow them to remain living longer and more independently within community settings.

Key messages

Older individuals, especially men, living alone should be targeted in future health programs. Females tend to use a higher amount of formal long-term care than males.

Association of glycated haemoglobin A1c levels with cardiovascular outcomes in the general population: results from the BiomarCaRE consortium

Background

Glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is used to monitor the quality of diabetes treatment; however, its role in predicting cardiovascular outcomes in the general population remains uncertain.

Purpose

The additional use of glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as a biomarker might highlight subjects of the general population with an increased risk for cardiovascular outcomes with cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular mortality or overall-mortality.

Methods

Data from six prospective population-based cohort studies across Europe comprising 36,180 participants were analysed. HbA1c was evaluated in conjunction with classical cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) for association with cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and overall mortality in the study population, in non-diabetic (N=32,477), and diabetic participants (N=3,703).

Results

Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher event rates with increasing continuous log-transformed HbA1c levels. Cox regression analysis revealed significant associations between HbA1c (in mmol/mol) log-transformed divided by interquartile range and the examined outcomes, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.12 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–1.20, p=0.0019) for cardiovascular mortality, 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04–1.16, p&lt;0.001) for CVD, and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.05–1.14, p&lt;0.001) for overall mortality per one unit increase.

An increased risk of CVD was observed in subjects without diabetes with increased HbA1c levels (HR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01–1.16, p=0.021). An HbA1c cut-off value of 39.89 mmol/mol (5.8%), 36.62 mmol/mol (5.5%), and 38.80 mmol/mol (5.7%) for cardiovascular mortality, CVD, and overall mortality, respectively, was determined for selecting individuals at an increased risk.

Conclusion

HbA1c was demonstrated to be an independent prognostic biomarker for all investigated outcomes in the general European population. An approximately linear relationship was observed between an increase of HbA1c levels and the outcomes. Elevated HbA1c levels were also associated with the outcomes in participants without diabetes (i.e. HbA1c levels &lt;6.5% (&lt;48mmol/mol) which underlines the importance of HbA1c levels in the overall population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Union Seventh Framework ProgrammeEuropean Union FP 7 project CHANCES Kaplan-Meier curves for the outcomesPenalised cubic splines HbA1c/time event

Host traits, lifestyle and environment are associated with human skin bacteria

BACKGROUND

The human skin offers diverse ecosystems for microbial symbionts. However, the factors shaping skin-microbiome interactions are still insufficiently characterized. This contrasts with the broader knowledge about factors influencing gut microbiota.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate major patterns of association of host traits, lifestyle and environmental factors with skin bacteria in two German populations.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study with 647 participants from two population-based German cohorts, PopGen (n = 294) and KORA FF4 (n = 353), totalling 1794 skin samples. The V1-V2 regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene were sequenced. Associations were tested with two bacterial levels, community (beta diversity) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variants (ASVs).

RESULTS

We validated known associations of the skin microbiota with skin microenvironment, age, body mass index and sex. These factors were associated with beta diversity and abundance of ASVs in PopGen, which was largely replicated in KORA FF4. Most intriguingly, dietary macronutrients and total dietary energy were associated with several ASVs. ASVs were also associated with smoking, alcohol consumption, skin pH, skin type, transepidermal water loss, education and several environmental exposures, including hours spent outdoors. Associated ASVs included members of the genera Propionibacterium, Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus.

CONCLUSIONS

We expand the current understanding of factors associated with the skin bacterial community. We show the association of diet with skin bacteria. Finally, we hypothesize that the skin microenvironment and host physiology would shape the skin bacterial community to a greater extent compared with a single skin physiological feature, lifestyle and environmental exposure.

Presumptive neural microsporidiosis in a young adult German Shepherd dog from rural Australia

CASE REPORT

A 1-year-old, neutered male German Shepherd was presented with a 5-month history of episodic lethargy, intermittent fever, weight loss and a hunched posture. The dog was diagnosed with presumptive microsporidian meningoencephalitis based on cytological findings on cerebrospinal fluid analysis and a positive PCR test. The dog initially responded favourably to a 4-week course of trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine and fenbendazole, and remained well for 12 weeks following cessation of treatment. Disease then recurred, and despite an initial positive response to treatment, he deteriorated and was euthanased 11 weeks later, 7.5 months after definitive diagnosis and 13 months after clinical signs were first reported.

CONCLUSION

To the authors knowledge, this is the first case of canine microsporidiosis in Australia.

Developing understanding of the fate and behaviour of silver in fresh waters and waste waters

The Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM) is often used for risk assessment of metals; WHAM can be used to estimate the potential bioavailability of dissolved metals, where metals complexed to dissolved organic matter (DOM) are expected to be less toxic than ionic forms. Silver is a potential metal of concern but WHAM has not been rigorously tested against experimental measurements. This study compares WHAM predictions to measured ionic silver during fixed pH (4, 8 or 10) argentometric titrations of DOM from diverse origins. There were almost two orders of magnitude variation in free silver between sources but, within model uncertainty, WHAM captured this variability. This agreement, between measurements and models, suggests that WHAM is an appropriate tool for silver risk assessment in surface receiving waters when DOM is predominantly in the form of humic/fulvic acids. In sewage samples WHAM dramatically underestimated silver binding by approximately 3 orders of magnitude. Simulations with additional specific strong silver binding sulphide-like binding sites could explain Ag binding at low loadings, but not at higher loadings. This suggests the presence of additional intermediate strength binding sites. These additional ligands would represent components of the raw sewage largely absent in natural waters unimpacted by sewage effluents. A revised empirical model was proposed to account for these sewage-specific binding sites. Further, it is suspected that as sewage organic matter is degraded, either by natural attenuation or by engineered treatment, that sewage organic matter will degrade to a form more readily modelled by WHAM; i.e., humic-like substances. These ageing experiments were performed starting from raw sewage, and the material did in fact become more humic-like, but even after 30 days of aerobic incubation still showed greater Ag⁺ binding than WHAM predictions. In these incubation experiments it was found that silver (up to 1000 μg/L) had minimal impact on ammonia oxidation kinetics.

Cardiac troponin I and incident stroke in European cohorts – insights from the BiomarCaRE project

Background

Stroke is a common cause of death and a leading cause of disability and morbidity. Stroke risk assessment remains a challenge but circulating biomarkers may improve risk prediction. Controversial evidence is available on the predictive ability of troponin concentrations and the risk of stroke in the community. Furthermore, reports on the predictive value of troponin concentrations for different stroke subtypes (ischemic and hemorrhagic) are scarce.

Methods

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hsTnI) concentrations were assessed in 82,881 individuals (median age 50.7 years, 49.7% men) free of stroke or myocardial infarction at baseline from nine prospective European community cohorts. Multiple imputations were used to handle missing data. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to determine relative risks, followed by measures of discrimination and reclassification using 10-fold cross-validation to control for over-optimism. Follow-up was based upon linkage with national hospitalization registries and causes of death registries.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 12.7 years, 3,033 individuals were diagnosed with incident non-fatal or fatal stroke (N=1,654 ischemic strokes, N=612 hemorrhagic strokes, N=767 indeterminate strokes). In multivariable regression models hsTnI concentrations were associated with overall stroke (hazard ratio (HR) per one standard deviation increase 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–1.21), ischemic stroke (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.09–1.21) and hemorrhagic stroke (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01–1.21). Adding hsTnI concentrations to classical cardiovascular risk factors (C-indices 0.808, 0.840 and 0.735 for overall, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, respectively) increased the C-index significantly, but modestly. In individuals with an intermediate ten-year risk (5–20%) the net reclassification improvement for overall stroke was 0.039 (p=0.010).

Conclusions

Elevated hsTnI concentrations are associated with an increased risk of incident stroke in the community, irrespective of stroke subtype. Adding hsTnI concentrations to classical risk factors only modestly improved estimation of 10-year risk of stroke in the overall cohort, but might be of some value in individuals at an intermediate risk.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): The BiomarCaRE Project is funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no.HEALTH-F2-2011-278913. This project has received further funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 648131).

Telomere length is associated with atrial fibrillation

Background

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is common and is caused and predisposed to by a complex pathophysiology. Aging is among the most important risk factors for AF. Yet, some individuals develop AF in early years, whereas elderly individuals may remain free of AF. Aside from measurable concomitant risks, we hypothesized that a pathophysiologically relevant biological age exists, which outweighs a patient's calendar age. Telomere length is a measurable marker of age, which might reflect biological age. AF and telomere length have previously been associated, but results remained controversial. Here, we tested the relation between AF and telomere length in a well-characterized and so far largest cohort.

Methods

Since 2005, we enrolled 2475 patients with AF from the prospective AFLMU cohort, preferentially if they developed AF before age 65 years, and 3077 control individuals free of AF from the community-based KORA Study between 2006–08. All participants received a detailed clinical characterization, an electrocardiogram, and a blood draw for biomarker analyses. In all participants, we determined telomere length using a qPCR-based method. In a 384 well format, we employed a multiplex TaqMan assay to determine both telomere length and the single copy gene 36B4. Telomere length was expressed by the delta-CT method and was reformatted to have lower CT values indicate shorter telomere length. We compared telomere length between cases and controls using multi-variably corrected logistic regression models.

Results

Our cohort's mean age was 58 years in AFLMU and 56 years in KORA F4. Men were enrolled more commonly, with 72.3% in AFLMU and 51.7% in KORA F4. For consistency with available information, we confirmed that telomere length is continuously decreasing with age and that men have shorter telomere length compared to women. As a main result we found that AF patients have significantly shorter telomere length compared to controls (controls: telomere length 13,10 [12.60, 13.63] versus AF: 9.81 [5.98, 13.1], p&lt;0,001). This relation remained significant following multi-variable adjustment for sex, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes. The odds ratio per unit longer telomer length was 0.77 [95% confidence interval 0.74–0.77], p&lt;0.001. We also calculated a propensity-score matched model of cases with and without AF confirming our main results (controls: telomere length 13.21 [11.65, 13.67] versus AF: 9.03 [5.35, 12.54], p&lt;0.001). The multi-variable adjusted model revealed an odds ratio of 0,75 [95% confidence interval 0.73–0.76], p&lt;0.001.

Conclusion

AF is significantly associated with telomere length in one of the largest cohorts to date. Assessment of telomere length may adjudicate patients with AF due to premature biological aging. The underlying reasons for such premature aging remain to be identified.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Commission - Horizon 2020

[Microbiota and multiple sclerosis]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system driven by autoreactive lymphocytes. Due to its close contact with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, the intestinal microbiota and/or their metabolites may be one of the factors that influence the activation of autoreactive lymphocytes. This article summarizes and discusses the current research efforts to characterize the microbiome of MS patients using human material. In addition, we present research studies that utilized classical or humanized animal models to determine the influence of certain microbiota species or compositions of microbiota on the immune system and disease progression and to define possible causal associations.